Port Adelaide AFL great Gavin Wanganeen says judgement of coach Matthew Primus should be delayed.

Wanganeen, Port’s inaugural captain, said past players are hurting from the club’s continuing on-field struggles.

But he believes Primus and his players should be judged mid-season – not on their current one-six win-loss record.

“Their confidence is down a bit,” Wanganeen said on Tuesday.

“The boys just need to take a few more risks, get the ball moving forward a lot quicker … it’s just a bit of a tough patch.

“And everyone just needs to get behind Matty really – assess his performance, and the team’s performance, probably round 15.

“It’s a bit too early to do it right now.”

Wanganeen, one of Port’s favourite sons, said there was no quick fix following last year’s worst season of just three wins.

“It’s extremely hard seeing the club down the bottom of the ladder,” Wanganeen said.

“It really hurts not only myself, all the past players for the Power – it’s quite emotional.

“But that is footy.

“The boys just need to keep working hard and hopefully the tide will turn.

“We just need a win and hopefully that will get the confidence going and the ball rolling.”

Wanganeen appealed to Port supporters to stick by the club in the grim times.

“The fans need to get behind the club, get behind Matty,” he said.

“Let’s reassess it in about round 15 – all it takes is a win.

“There have been improvements from last year, that is for sure.”